Day 29: Federal Jurisdiction (4.5 days behind)

• Scheduled: July 14
• Actual: July 14
• Subject: Federal Jurisdiction

So this was basically like all of Civ Pro I and II in a 3 hour lecture.  Kind of odd, but I do feel like I've heard it all before.

In less exciting news and the reason this post is delayed, my computer died.  Yes, the one that I'm supposed to be taking the New York Bar Exam on in 2 weeks.  I've rush-ordered a new one and I hope it gets here before I have to leave.  If not, I guess I'll cancel the order and go buy a cheap one at Best Buy.  Or rent one from somewhere.  Or something.

Unfortunately, finding a new computer and contacting the exam software people ate up a huge chunk of yesterday.  Not exactly a perfect way to begin the last 2 weeks. 

Day 28: Secured Transactions / Commercial Paper

• Scheduled: July 11
• Actual: July 12
• Subject: Secured Transactions and Commercial Paper

The bright side: these two subjects rarely appear on the bar. 

The not-so-bright side: I just got through with the lecture and I'm not much more clear about them than I was before I started.  And I didn't take either one in law school.  I understand that New York is the financial capital of the world, but do these really need to be on the bar? 

Day 27: Conflict of Laws (5 days behind)

• Scheduled: July 10
• Actual: July 10
• Subject: Conflict of Laws

While I did actual complete this on the scheduled day, I'm still approximately 5 days behind because of things other than lectures that I haven't done yet (like practice questions and reviewing).  At least I'm caught up on lectures though!

Conflicts wasn't bad at all...perhaps because I took the class in my last semester of law school that finished a little over 2 months ago.  I guess I really haven't forgotten much of it yet.  It also rarely appears on the NY bar, so there's a bit less pressure to memorize everything.

Day 26: Trusts (5 days behind)

• Scheduled: July 1
• Actual: July 7
• Subject: Trusts

I know nothing about trusts, but so far the lecturer seems much, much better than the lecturer for Wills.  So, hopefully by the end of today I will know enough to get by about trusts.

Day 25: Wills II (5 days behind)

• Scheduled: June 27
• Actual: July 6
• Subject: Wills II

Ok.  I finished Wills and it was actually worse than I thought.  The lecturer (Erica Fine) was the worst I've had in BarBri and maybe the worst I've had for any subject in any level of education.  She should not be a public speaker.

I'm not sure I understand Wills and I'm not sure the lecture helped out all.  Outstanding combo.

On the bright side, I had a lovely 4th of July and got to see some friends.  My parents were also in town for the long weekend and I got to hang out with them too.  It will likely be the last time I hang out with anyone until after the bar. 

I also watched the last two sets of the Wimbledon final this afternoon because I just couldn't bear to listen to Erica Fine any longer.  I have to say I feel like I made the right decision.  Fantastic match and congratulations to Nadal for what looks like the passing of the torch:

On to trusts.

Day 24: Wills I (5 days behind)

• Scheduled: June 26
• Actual: July 2
• Subject: Wills I

Now for the material I don't know anything about.  Should be just great....

Seriously, why is this on the bar?  Although most people don't plan to practice criminal law, at least with that bar subject you can impress people by critiquing Law & Order.

All I can picture when I think of wills is a really long and really boring document using over-the-top flowery lawyerese. 

Sort of like this thing:

Day 23: Torts III (5 days behind)

• Scheduled: June 25
• Actual: July 1
• Subject: Torts III

A little strict liability, a little workers' compensation, a little vicarious liability.  Another good lecture from Schechter.

Day 22: Torts II (5.5 days behind)

• Scheduled: June 24
• Actual: June 30
• Subject: Torts II

Too much soccer and not enough torts caused me not to catch up more.  I still liked the torts material a lot though.  Yeah Negligence!

Day 21: Torts I (5.5 days behind)

• Scheduled: June 23
• Actual: June 28
• Subject: Torts I

Because this is an after the fact post, I can tell that I absolutely loved Roger Schechter.  The man is amazing.  Torts was easily the best lecture.

Day 20: Professional Responsibility (5.5 days behind)

• Scheduled: June 20
• Actual: June 26
• Subject: Professional Responsibility & MPT Workshop

Whoops.  So I kinda forgot to update this for a while.  Yeah, PR was not so hot.  Didn't like it in law school, didn't like it here. 

In the meantime, congrats to Spain for winning Euro 2008.

This guy HAD to have been happy about it.

According to his Wikipedia page, he goes to every Spanish National Team game with his drum.  Even more shockingly:

He owns a bar next to the Valencia Stadium that doubles as a sports museum. Due to frequent travels in support of his team and his unwillingness to let others run the bar, Manolo has suffered financial losses for his passion. He has also lost his family, who he found gone upon returning from a match in 1987.

So he might not have a family anymore, but at least he has a winning national team!